Jay Joyner enters his third season as the associate head coach for the North Carolina A&T men's basketball program.

As the Aggies associate head coach, takes the lead in the Aggies recruiting efforts. Joyner is no stranger to working with North Carolina A&T head coach Cy Alexander, having played for him as a student-athlete, worked for him as a professional and Alexander served on Joyner's staff as an assistant men's basketball coach at Columbia State Community College during the 2011-12 season. Their time together has produced championships and postseason appearances. Joyner looks to bring that winning legacy with Coach Alexander to the A&T program.

In his first season with the Aggies program, the Aggies won the MEAC title, won its first-ever NCAA tournament game and won 20 games for the first in 25 years. Before coming to Greensboro, Joyner spent three seasons as the head men's basketball coach at Columbia State Community College, a two-year school in Middle Tennessee. Joyner led the Chargers to a 61-23 record and two Tennessee Community College Athletic Association regular-season titles.

In 2012, the Charges made their first national tournament appearance in 34 years. The 2011-12 team went 23-8 and finished the season ranked sixth in the nation. Joyner earned the 2011-12 National Junior College Athletic Association District 7 Coach of the Year honor and was named the TCCAA Coach of the Year in 2010 and '12.

Joyner spent the 2008-2009 season as an assistant coach for the Cumberland University men's basketball program, a National Association Intercollegiate Athletics institution, in Lebanon, Tenn. He helped the Bulldogs to an NAIA National Championship Tournament appearance with a 26-6 record. He developed the post players, coordinated all recruiting, and scouted each opponent. He was also responsible for implementing the team's game plan.

Prior to finding success in Tennessee, Joyner gained experience working in the Big East. Joyner served as the director of player development for Rutgers University (2006-08), and spent two seasons developing and managing the Scarlett Knights' mentoring program. He worked with each student-athlete to help enhance their athletic performance through video sessions. He also handled NCAA compliance documentation for student-athletes and assisted with scheduling. Joyner also served as the campus liaison for recruits.

His coaching career began in Tennessee, where he served as the assistant coach at Columbia State Community College for the 2005-06 season, helping guide the Chargers to the conference championship game under head coach Malcolm Montgomery.

Joyner got his professional start in athletics in 2003, where he served as the administrative assistant/assistant strength coach for the men's basketball program at Tennessee State under Alexander. In his two years at TSU, he monitored the academic progress for Alexander's players and ran the program's strength and conditioning workouts. He was responsible for the daily operations in the men's basketball office and coordinated film exchange with other institutions. He was the co-director of the Cy Alexander Basketball Camp as well.

Before making the jump to collegiate athletics, Joyner was an assistant boys basketball coach at Centennial High School in Franklin, Tenn., for the 2002-03 season.

Joyner's familiarity with the Aggies comes from his playing career with S.C. State from 1993-96. He was part of the Bulldogs' 1995-96 championship team under Alexander. After leaving S.C. State, he competed professionally overseas.

Joyner holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from Middle Tennessee State. He is a native of Amityville, N.Y. He and his wife have three children.